International Perspectives on Exclusionary Pressures in Education

Despite varying definitions of inclusion according to national context, there is a growing consensus that educational systems presented as ‘inclusive’ in policy and professional discourse, in practice, legitimise processes that appear far from inclusive. This book examines and problematises the concept of 'educational inclusion' within schools. Despite varying definitions of inclusion according to national context, there is a growing consensus that educational systems presented as ‘inclusive’ in policy and professional discourse, in practice, legitimise processes that appear far from inclusive. The editors and contributors draw together research from multiple contexts that considers systemic exclusionary pressures and practices from multiple perspectives, particularly less visible forms of social and educational exclusion. The book calls for true inclusion as an overriding socio-political and educational policy objective, and to end the marginalisation of specific groups beyond familiar neoliberal political discourses of piecemeal remediation. Elizabeth J. Done is Lecturer in Inclusion at the University of Plymouth, and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Graduate School of Education, UK. Her research specialises in inclusion, critical perspectives and teacher CPD. Helen Knowler is Honorary Lecturer in Education at the University of Exeter, UK. She teaches and researches in the field of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and her current focus relates to the prevention of permanent exclusion of students from school. This book examines and problematises the concept of 'educational inclusion' within schools. Despite varying definitions of inclusion according to national context, there is a growing consensus that educational systems presented as ‘inclusive’ in policy and professional discourse, in practice, legitimise processes that appear far from inclusive. The editors and contributors draw together research from multiple contexts that considers systemic exclusionary pressures and practices from multiple perspectives, particularly less visible forms of social and educational exclusion. The book calls for true inclusion as an overriding socio-political and educational policy objective, and to end the marginalisation of specific groups beyond familiar neoliberal political discourses of piecemeal remediation.